WO2010022780A1

WO2010022780A1 - Contact-making arrangement for a busbar

Info

Publication number: WO2010022780A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/061331
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adelbert Schalk
Original assignee: Abb Schweiz Ag
Priority date: 2008-08-28
Filing date: 2008-08-28
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Also published as: CN202260029U

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a contact-making arrangement (100) which is designed for electrical connection of at least one electrical conductor braid (101), which is flexible at least in places, to an electrically conductive busbar (102). The contact-making arrangement (100) has at least one contact-making element (103) for making electrical contact with the busbar (102) via a contact-making surface of the contact-making element (103), and a pressing device (104), which is preferably formed separately from the electrical conductor braid (101), for pressing the contact-making element (103) onto the busbar (102). The contact-making element (103) is electrically connected to the electrical conductor braid (101), and is in the form of a section of the electrical conductor braid (101).

Description

BESCHREIBXTNG

CONTACT ARRANGEMENT FOR A BUSBAR

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates generally to contacting arrangements for contacting an at least partially flexible conductor wire, such as a conductor strand to a busbar, which is also referred to as a current conductor rail or busbar. In particular, the present invention relates to a contacting arrangement for such a bus bar, which has a high current carrying capacity for large rated currents. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for connecting an at least partially flexible conductor strand.

A conductor wire, which at one end with the

Busbar is electrically contact, is typically performed with its other end to a plug-in module that performs different functions, for example, as a switching device, surge arrester, feed block or simple terminal.

STATE OF THE ART

The use of connectors makes it possible to efficiently assemble modular electronic components and connect devices to systems and networks. Typically, the connection resistance should be small in order to minimize power losses and thus excess temperatures. Plug and connection forces play an essential role here. Furthermore, the reliability of the connection should be ensured over a long period of time. Furthermore, it is necessary to keep material and manufacturing costs low.

A plug-in module for a low-voltage distributor is described in EP 1 289 085 A1. The plug-in module has a housing, a contact carrier and a contact carrier rigidly mounted plug contact. When plugging the module onto a busbar containing a socket

Low-voltage distributor, the module is pivoted about a pivot axis and locked into the socket, the plug contact one of the busbars contacted.

EP 0 229 590 discloses a low-voltage distribution with a busbar releasably connected

Installation devices, a busbar system and means for feeding the busbars at a freely selectable location. In a guide channel a Stecktulpe is arranged, which is connected via a flexible conductor with a power supply terminal. Electric power is fed via the power feed terminal into the flexible conductor and from there to the plug-in tulip, which is designed to contact a bus bar.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object underlying the invention is to provide an electrical contact between an at least partially flexible conductor or an at least partially flexible conductor wire and an electrical busbar with improved properties, in particular with high current carrying capacity. The above object is achieved by a circuit arrangement and a method as indicated in the independent patent claims.

According to a main aspect, a contacting arrangement is provided, which is designed for the electrical connection of at least one at least partially flexible conductor strand to an electrically conductive busbar, and which further comprises at least one contacting element for electrically contacting the busbar via a

Contacting surface of the contacting element includes. The contacting element is electrically connected to the conductor strand and formed as a portion of the conductor strand. A pressing device serves to press the contacting element to the busbar.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of electrically connecting at least one at least partially flexible conductor strand to an electrically conductive busbar, the method comprising the steps of defining a contacting element in a portion of the conductor strand, contact-connecting the contacting element to the busbar, and pressing of

Includes contacting element to the busbar by means of a pressing device.

In the subclaims, the description and the drawings are advantageous refinements and improvements of the respective subject of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

In the drawings show:

1 shows a contacting arrangement for contacting a conductor strand with a busbar according to a preferred embodiment.

2 shows a contacting arrangement for double-sided contacting of a busbar to a conductor strand according to a further preferred embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a partial view of a Kontaktierungsanordnung to illustrate the execution of flexible and compacted

Areas of the conductor strand and a force;

4 (a) and 4 (b) show the process of inserting the contacting arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-3 together with a plug-in module linearly into a busbar, FIG. 4 (a) showing the disconnected state, while FIG (b) shows the inserted state;

FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) illustrate the process of inserting the contacting assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3 together with a plug-in module by means of a tilting movement into a busbar, FIG. 5 (a) showing the disconnected condition while FIG Fig. 5 (b) shows the inserted state; and

6 shows a flow chart to illustrate a method for electrically connecting at least one flexible conductor strand to an electrically conductive busbar.

In the figures, like reference characters designate like or functionally equivalent components or steps. WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In particular, in devices in the low-voltage technology connectors are used which have a high current carrying capacity. Other features include a compact design and the high quality of the connectors, which have a small connection resistance.

A small connection resistance ensures low power losses and limited overtemperatures. When placing a module on a busbar on the one hand sufficient rigidity of the contacting elements and on the other hand a flat, i. Provided over a sufficient deflection range away enough constant spring force for a secure contact.

1 shows schematically a preferred embodiment of a contacting arrangement 100. For contacting an at least partially flexible conductor conductor 101 with a busbar 102, a contacting element 103 is provided within the flexible conductor conductor 101 as a component of the conductor conductor 101.

A pressing device 104 in the form of an elastic element serves to press or press the contacting element 103 of the conductor conductor strand 101 onto the busbar 102. An insertion element 106 serves to attach the arrangement to the busbars 102 when the conductor conductor 101 is inserted together with the pressing device 104.

The introduction element 106 can consist of a compacted region of the conductor conductor 101, which can be produced for example by ultrasonic treatment. The contacting element 103 can be regarded as the area with a contact surface to be pressed onto the busbar. The contact surface can be about 4x4mm ² ,

The contacting element 103 is preferably compacted, particularly preferably compacted plan, for example by means of an ultrasonic treatment. This results in an improved contact (reduced contact resistance) through the contacting element 103, since in general more points of contact with the busbar 102 are possible due to the compression.

The contacting element 103 may be surrounded by an uncompacted area (either in the longitudinal direction of the strand or in both the longitudinal and transverse direction of the strand). Due to the greater flexibility of this uncompressed area is achieved that the contact surface or the contacting element 103 can be applied by the acting pressing device 104 level to the busbar 102.

In the region of the contacting element 103, the conductor conductor 101 is thus at least partially flexible. Preferably, the contacting element 103 is provided at an end portion of the conductor wire 101.

For improved contacting between the current conductor strand 101 and the busbar 102, a contacting surface of the busbar 102 may have a smooth surface structure. Furthermore, it is possible for a surface coating to be provided in the region of the contacting surface of the busbar 102, that is to say on the surface with which the contacting element 103 of the conductor conductor 101 comes into contact, and / or on a contacting surface of the conductor conductor 101. Such Surface coating may be formed of a material of the group gold, tin, nickel and silver.

According to the preferred embodiment, the pressing device 104 is pushed together with the conductor wire 101 over the bus bar 102. The power conductor strand 101 consists of a plurality of individual wires, whereby a current transition to the bus bar 102 takes place via a plurality of contact points. In order to distribute and maintain a contact force, the pressing device is typically designed as a spring element.

Typical rated currents for the contacting arrangement are in the range of a few 10 amperes and are for example set to 63 A. An electrically conductive contact between the contacting element 103 of the conductor wire 101 and the Sarranel rail 102 is provided due to the roughness of the material surfaces by micro-contact points. Under the influence of the connecting force, the conductors touch a plurality of smaller ones

Touch points, so-called bottlenecks or a-spots.

The sum of the microscopically small contact surfaces, whose number increases with increasing connection force, forms the mechanically bearing contact surface. At the same

Connecting force (see below with reference to Fig. 3), the connection resistance is reduced with increasing number of Engestellen.

The conductor wire 101 can be provided as a twisted, preferably as a stranded, braided or woven conductor strip, preferably made of copper, which can form a wide area of a flexible contacting element 103. As described above, in this case as well, an introduction element 106 is compacted, for example by means of ultrasound, in order to facilitate plugging the contacting arrangement 100 onto the busbar 102. In this case, the use of a conductor strand formed as a twisted copper tape allows a particularly large contacting surface between the conductor wire 101 and the busbar 102. In particular, when using a twisted copper tape results in extremely low connection resistance at the contact point of the copper strip.

While Fig. 1 illustrates a one-sided contact (left side) of the busbar 102, a two-sided contact (left and right side in Fig. 2) is shown in Fig. 2. For this purpose, in addition to the conductor wire 101, a connection wire 108 is provided between the left and right sides. According to a typical embodiment, the connection wire 108 is formed as an end portion of the conductor wire 101, so that the conductor wire 101 and the connection wire 108 are integrally provided.

This results in two contacting elements. i.e. a first contacting element 109 for left-side contacting of the busbar 102 and a second contacting element 110 for right-side contacting of the busbar 102. The first and second contacting elements 109, 110 are each components of the connecting strand 108, which in turn has compressed end regions as insertion elements 106. The first and second contacting elements 109, 110 are arranged after insertion on opposite sides of the busbar. In this way, a particularly effective electrical

Contacting the busbar with the conductor wire reached.

Although a small gap between the connecting strand 108 and the contacting element 109 is shown in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity, in reality they are pressed together by the pressing device 104. As in the case of the contacting arrangement 100 shown in FIG. 1, in the case of the contacting arrangement 100 according to FIG. 2, the introduction elements 106 are provided in the form of densified areas as an introduction aid for the arrangement via the busbar 102. Also, the

Be contacting elements (plan) to be compressed and / or surrounded by a non-compressed area, as already described in Fig. 1.

As already explained above with reference to FIG. 1, the first and second contacting elements 109 and 110 are embodied similarly to the contacting element 103 such that non-compressed regions of the conductor conductor 101 and of the connecting strand 108 are present in the region of the contacting elements. Such uncompressed areas ensure contact with a plurality of Engestellen so that a contact with a high current carrying capacity is provided. According to a further typical embodiment, it is also possible that in the region of the contacting elements compressed regions of the conductor conductor strand 101 or of the connecting strand 108 are formed.

It should be noted that in addition to insertion of the contacting arrangement 100 onto the conductor rail 102 in the direction shown by an arrow 200, alternatively or additionally, a rotational movement can be provided.

The rotational movement takes place about a pivot axis 111, which runs parallel to the conductor rail 102 and which is arranged in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 on the opposite side of the side to which the conductor wire 101 is supplied and connected. Further, although not shown in Figs. 5 (a) and 5 (b), it is possible that the pivot axis 111 coincides with a lower edge of the plug-in module. A pivoting hinge can thus directly on the plug-in module 201 to be appropriate. The operation of pivoting with simultaneous insertion of the contacting arrangement 100 onto the busbar 102 will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and (b). The swivel assembly comprises a rotary hinge, which is pivotable about the pivot axis 111 and which is connected to the plug-in module 201.

Fig. 3 shows the contact between the conductor wire 101 and the busbar 102 in greater detail. Reference numeral 301 denotes a pressing force applied by the pressing device 104 (not shown in Fig. 3).

Since the contacting between the conductor wire 101 and the busbar 102 takes place via a plurality of parallel contact points, as already mentioned above, it is ensured by a high contact pressure 301 that as many individual wires of the conductor conductor 101 come into contact with the busbar 102.

It should be noted here that the current conductor strand 101 is typically formed as a flexible strand consisting of a plurality of individual wires. Typically, the strand is copper material. Of the

Connection resistance R _v is composed of a series connection of substantially three different resistances, namely the material resistance R _M , the interference resistance R _F and the resistance _E R.

The close resistance R _E and the stray resistance R _F form the contact resistance R _κ , so that the connection resistance R _v can be given according to the following relationship:

Rv = R _M + RE + RF ⁽ D. By employing the contact resistance R _K according to the following relationship (2):

R _κ = R _E + R _F (2)

results in the connection resistance R _v to

Rv = R _M + RK (3)

The connection resistance R _v determines the power dissipation, which occurs at the contact transition from the conductor wire 101 to the bus bar 102, according to the following relationship (4):

P _v = I ^{2 •} Rv (4)

Here, the power loss is given by P _v , wherein the current flowing through the contact point (rated current) has the value I.

The material resistance R _M given in the above relations (1) and (3) is the electrical resistance of a conductive connection that would result if the current conductor elements had no contact point.

The contact resistance R _K defined in the above relationship (2) results from an empirical relationship between contact resistance and contact force, taking into account the microgeometry, ie typically the number of crests, of the contacting elements 103, 109, 110.

Thus, for the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, a dependence of the contact resistance R _K (relationship (2)) on the pressing force 301 applies. The region indicated by the reference numeral 105 in FIG. 3 represents the compression region in which the current conductor strand 101 has been compressed, for example by ultrasonic treatment. Such an area is referred to above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 as an introduction element, which serves as an introduction aid when attaching the contacting arrangement

100 on the busbar 102 is used.

Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b) illustrate a plugging operation of the contacting arrangement 100 in the case of being plugged in an insertion direction 200. Here, Fig. 4 (a) shows the disconnected state, while Fig. 4 (b) illustrates the inserted state. A reference numeral 201 denotes a plug-in module which has additional electronic components not shown here. For the understanding of the present disclosure, it is not necessary to consider such additional electronic components in the plug-in module 201.

It should be pointed out here only that a plurality of contacting arrangements 100 can be provided along the busbar 102 in the plug-in module 201. In this case, the plug-in module 201 attached contacting arrangements 100 can be designed either individually or together plugged.

Furthermore, a plurality of contacting arrangements may be provided side by side for contacting a plurality of bus bars 102 arranged side by side (not shown in FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b)). While one end of the conductor wire 101 is respectively connected to electronic components in the plug-in module 201, at the other end is the conductor wire

101, the contacting element 103 is formed.

In FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b) as well as in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) below, a contacting arrangement with one-sided contacting according to FIG. 1 is illustrated. It should be noted, however, that in the cases of FIG. 4 and 5 also two-sided or two-sided

Contacting arrangements according to FIG. 2 can be provided. As shown in Fig. 4 (a), the adapter 104 provides a predetermined contact pressure, wherein the compression region formed as

Insertion element 106 just has to slide over the busbar 102.

In this way, as illustrated in FIG. 4 (b), it is then ensured that a contacting member 103 contacts the bus bar 102 under the action of the fitting force (adjusting force) 301 (see FIG. 3) provided by the adjusting means 104. The plug-in modules 201 shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) can perform any functions, such as a switching device, surge arrester, supply block, or merely serve as a terminal device.

A low-voltage distributor provided with such a plug-in module can be designed to be flexible and is distinguished by efficient manufacturability, simple feed-in and free interchangeability of the plug-in module 201.

4 shows the insertion operation from an uninserted state of the plug-in module 201 to the bus bar 102 (FIG. 4 (a)) to an inserted state of the plug-in module 201 onto the bus bar 102 (FIG. 4 (b)). The insertion process shown in Fig. 4 thus takes place in a direction 200, that is, the insertion direction 200, which is ^¬ preferably parallel to a longitudinal side of the busbar 102, in particular perpendicular to the busbar, aligned.

5 (a) and 5 (b) show an alternative procedure for plugging the plug-in module 201 onto the busbar 102. Here, a panning operation is performed, wherein the panning operation in a panning direction 112 is performed by one Swivel axis 111 takes place. In many cases, especially when multiple busbars 102 are to be contacted in parallel with each other with different Kontaktierungsanordnungen 100, the pivoting operation around a fixed pivot axis 111 provides a relief when contacting the Stromleiterlitze 101 with the busbar 102. It is possible, more on the plug-in module 201th mounted contacting arrangements 100 designed to be either individually or together aufsteckbar.

In contrast to the process shown in Fig. 4, the introduction of the contacting arrangement 100 on the busbar 102 is no longer in a direction parallel to a side surface of the busbar 102 or perpendicular to the busbar {insertion direction 200}, but slightly oblique at a small angle. Typically, the pivot axis 111 and the contacting side of the conductor wire 101 with the bus bar 102 (left side in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b)) are disposed on opposite sides of the bus bar 102.

In this way, a secure and easy insertion of the contacting element 100 onto the busbar 102 is ensured even by supporting the introduction element 106. While Fig. 5 (a) shows the disconnected condition, i. shows the pivoted state, Fig. 5 (b) illustrates the inserted or lowered state.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram for illustrating a method for electrical

Connecting at least one at least partially flexible conductor wire 101 to an electrically conductive busbar 102, wherein after the start of the method (step Sl), first a contacting element 103 is defined in a section of the conductor wire 101 (step S2). In a subsequent step S3, a contact-connection of the contacting element 103 with the busbar 102 is performed.

Subsequently, a pressing device 104 formed, for example, as a spring ring, which has already been pushed together with the contacting element 103 over the busbar 102, is pressed on.

Finally, a contacting of the conductor conductor strand 101 with the busbar 102 is ensured via the multi-point connection provided by the conductor conductor strand in the contacting region (contacting element 103). The procedure is ended in a step S5.

The conductor wire 101 can also be contacted together with the pressing device 104 by means of a rotation about a parallel to the busbar 102 pivot axis 111 with the busbar. The conductor wire 101 and the pressing device 104 are thereby pushed together over the bus bar 102.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but modifiable in many ways.

Also, the invention is not limited to the applications mentioned. REFERENCE NUMBERS

100 contacting arrangement

101 conductor wire

102 busbar

103 contacting element

104 pressing device

105 compaction area

106 introduction element

108 connecting strand

109 first contacting element

110 second contacting element

111 pivot axis

112 pivoting direction

200 introduction direction

201 Plug-in module 301 Contact pressure

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Kontaktierυngsanordnung (100), designed for the electrical connection of at least one at least partially flexible conductor wire (101) to an electrically conductive busbar (102), comprising:

at least one contacting element (103) for electrically contacting the busbar (102) via a contacting surface of the contacting element (103),

wherein the contacting element (103) is formed as a portion of the conductor wire (101); and

a pressing device (104) for pressing the

Contacting element (103) to the busbar (102).

2. contacting arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contacting element (103) is formed as an end portion of the conductor wire strand (101).

3. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the current conductor strand (101) is formed as a twisted conductor strip, preferably as a stranded, braided or woven conductor strip, and preferably made of copper.

4. contacting arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressing device (104) as an elastic element, preferably as a spring ring, is formed.

5. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a contacting surface of the busbar (102) has a smooth surface structure.

6. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on a contacting surface of the busbar (102) and / or on a contacting surface of the conductor strand (101) is provided a surface coating, which consists of at least one material from the group gold, tin, nickel and silver is formed,

7. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressing device (104) is U-shaped with two legs, wherein a leg for pressing the contacting element (103) to the busbar (102) and a leg for pressing against a opposite section of the busbar (102) is designed.

8. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contacting element

(103) is designed for one-sided contacting of the busbar (102).

9. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the contacting element (103) for double-sided contacting of the busbar (102) is designed.

10. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor wire (101) and the pressing device (104) together on the busbar (102) can be plugged.

11. contacting arrangement (100} according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor wire (101) has a contacting element (103) for contacting the busbar (102) and a flexible portion, and wherein preferably the contacting element (103) is at least partially compressed.

12. contacting arrangement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressing device (104} is formed separately from the conductor wire strand (101).

13. A method for electrically connecting at least one at least partially flexible conductor strand (101) to an electrically conductive busbar (102), comprising the steps:

contact-bonding a contacting element (103) to the busbar (102), wherein the contacting element (103) is formed as a portion of the conductor wire (101); and

Pressing the contacting element (103) to the

Busbar (102) by means of a pressing device (104).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the conductor wire (101) together with the pressing device (104) by means of a rotation about a parallel to the busbar (102) pivot axis (111) with the busbar (102} is contacted.

15. Plug-in module (201) with a contacting arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12.